CNN’s Don Lemon invited The Guardian columnist Orville Lloyd Douglas onto his show to discuss his controversial article, “Why I Hate Being A Black Man.”

Douglas admitted that he is “conflicted” about being Black because of the negative stereotypes that he is inundated with on a daily basis. The writer, who is Canadian, also suggested that African-Americans are insulated from entrenched racial bias because of the progressive nature of our collective activism and politics.

Douglas pointed to the election of President Barack Obama as prove that Black Americans experience their Blackness differently, so his self-hatred may not be something that is seen in the United States.

Lemon, who has been accused of self-hatred himself, seemed empathetic to Douglas’ plight, calling him “brave” and encouraging him to live his version of Blackness authentically and proudly.